Vivo showcases new tech in FIFA World Cup TVC

Last year, Vivo announced that they are FIFA’s official smartphone sponsors under a six-year contract. Expect to see a lot of the brand, especially during the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

A TVC highlighting the partnership just dropped and Vivo showcases their newest and greatest in smartphone tech. From bezel-less displays to in-display fingerprint sensors, the video shows it all.

At first, because of the in-display fingerprint sensor, the video seems to feature the Vivo X21 which launched in Singapore early this month, and is set to release in other Asian countries in June. But, what’s really curious is that it eventually shows a bezel-less smartphone with a retractable selfie camera. The only other time we saw that type of camera from Vivo was at this year’s MWC when they unveiled the Vivo APEX concept phone which they stressed was just a prototype.

These new Ikea curtains fight indoor pollution by filtering air

Ikea has just announced groundbreaking technology that will not only add to your home decorating or homemaking ventures, as the brand has been apt to do; it will also help keep your living space cleaner by purifying indoor air.

This is Ikea’s Gunrid curtain and it works just like a plant: It breaks down harmful pollutants when it gets in contact with light. The fabric itself has undergone “mineral-based surface treatment” which enables it to destroy common indoor air pollutants like formaldehyde and odor. And since the tech is in the fabric, future products aren’t, in theory, limited to just curtains.

Unknown to most, indoor air pollution is a big deal with some living spaces found to have conditions five times worse than other parts of the world and a higher death toll than outdoor pollution. Mauricio Affonso, Product Developer at Ikea Range & Supply says, “We are creating an affordable and space-saving air purifying solution that also makes the home more beautiful.”

Samsung announces new generation of wearables

Aside from the numerous Samsung flagships announced at Unpacked in San Francisco, there were also a number of wearables announced: The Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Fit e, and the Galaxy Buds.

The Galaxy Watch Active is the sporty version of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch but without the iconic spinning bezel. It’s equipped with stress, fitness, and sleep tracking, plus GPS, NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities. Of course, it also has Bixby built in.

The watch also has wireless charging capabilities which will work well with the PowerShare-capable Galaxy S10. It runs on an Exynos 9110 processor and a 230mAh battery. It’ll come in four pretty colors: rose gold, sea green, black, and silver. It’ll be available on March 8 in the US for US$ 200.

The Galaxy Fit and Fit e are slim fitness wearables that will automatically track your activities. Equipped with a heart rate monitor and a 0.95-inch AMOLED display, this water-resistant baby is perfect for those who want something less obtrusive. They’ll be available in the second quarter of 2019.

Last but not least: The Galaxy Buds. Powered by AKG, you’re ensured a great listening experience. It boasts six hours of battery life for streaming and five hours on calls, with an additional seven hours with its charging case. That same case gives 1.7 hours of power on a 15-minute charge. Of course, it also has wireless charging.

These Buds are available starting March 8 and they’ll retail for US$ 129. It comes in three colors: black, white, and a fun yellow.